The song “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often called the “Black National Anthem,” has been a fixture at major sporting events since 2020. That tradition is set to continue when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
According to CBS News, Grammy Award-winning artist Ledisi will perform the song ahead of the championship matchup.
“Ledisi will perform the song, which has been an important piece of work for over a century. Ledisi is a 15-time Grammy nominee and has a Grammy win for Best Traditional R&B Performance for ‘Anything For You.’ She has taken the stage at many major locations including The White House, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center,” CBS News reported.
Appearing in 42 different Christian hymnals, the song carries themes from the biblical Exodus, representing the journey from slavery to freedom and the pursuit of the “promised land.” It has remained deeply significant within the Black community, particularly in the years following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Originally written as a poem in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was intended to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Johnson, a distinguished author, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist, sought to celebrate Lincoln’s legacy through his words.
The song has been performed at each of the last three Super Bowls—Alicia Keys presented a prerecorded version ahead of the 2021 Super Bowl, Mary Mary sang it from outside SoFi Stadium at Super Bowl LVI, and Andra Day performed it live before last year’s game.
Beyond the Super Bowl, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has also been featured at other high-profile NFL events, including the 2021 NFL Draft and the league’s season opener last year.
While the song typically is well-received by fans who are willing to accept a song that is important to a marginalized group of people, some were outraged at the decision, believing only “The Star-Spangled Banner” should be performed.
“The Black “National Anthem” is being played at the Super Bowl. And with that I’ve decided that I won’t be watching. Black Americans ARE Americans. America has ONE National Anthem. The Black one is meant to divide,” one person wrote on X.
“The black national anthem is very divisive. THE National Anthem is for all people,” someone else wrote.
“Trace Gallagher… the Superbowl has announced that it will be playing the “black national anthem”…. this is very divisive.!! There is One National Anthem, for One Nation.!! This sends the wrong signal, to every race/nationality in our Country. I do not like this idea at All.!!” another conservative posted on X.
“we all would be better if we all lived together under one anthem. stop trying to separate us,” someone else added.
“The Black National Anthem being sung at the Super Bowl….Sorry, but I was always under the impression that the American National Anthem included all Americans of all race, color, and creed. One America, One Anthem for ALL….” another person added.
“Black national anthem is divisive USA has only one anthem for all Americans,” someone else said.
It’s worth noting that “The Star-Spangled Banner” will also be performed, with New Orleans native Jon Batiste set to deliver his rendition of the national anthem.
